Judge who sent racist e-mail about Obama to retire

Apr. 4, 2013
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Judge Richard Cebull / AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

A Montana judge who sent a racist e-mail about President Obama will retire May 3.

Richard Cebull, former chief U.S. District judge in Montana, has been under investigation by a special committee of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The 9th Circuit announced Cebull's retirement on its website, saying its special committee conducted "a thorough and extensive investigation, interviewed numerous witnesses, considered voluminous documentation, including e-mails, and conducted an interview with Judge Cebull."

"Cebull, who stepped down from full active service on March 18 to take senior status, was under investigation by a special committee of the 9th Circuit after he sent a racist e-mail from his court chambers about President Barack Obama. The e-mail contained a 'joke' that implied that Obama's mother had sex with a dog.

"After the Great Falls Tribune uncovered the e-mail Cebull admitted to sending it and later publicly apologized. Cebull subsequently asked 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski to initiate an investigation into whether his transmittal of the e-mail constituted misconduct under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. ...

"The special committee submitted its report to the 9th Circuit Judicial Council in December 2012 and on March 15, 2013, the council issued an order and memorandum. According to the 9th Circuit the findings of the investigation and the court's order remain confidential during the appeal period, and the council will have no further statement until Cebull's retirement is effective."